Wildebeest Migration

From June to September of each year, wildebeest, along with zebras, gazelles and Topis participate in the Great Migration, one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

The world’s most ancient pilgrimage takes place on the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara as more than a million bodies make their way towards the better grazing sites.

The Great Migration is the largest mass exodus of any land mammal on earth. The highlight of any Mara adventure is the much awaited river crossing.

Groups of thousands of wildebeest hang around by the waterfront for days on end, creeping up to the water and skittishly racing back up the riverbank. Often, they might get right up to the water’s edge, perhaps even getting a bit wet, but climb back out and retreat. A group might have made good progress towards the water throughout the day, but after a moment of hesitation, they race back to the open plains. Zebras are sometimes the cause of this phenomenon. They are leaders of the group on dry land, but when they reach the riverbank, they refuse to move forward. The result is their progress is stopped.

After days of hesitation by the waterfront, groups containing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest will plunge into the water in a mad scramble to get to the other side. You will see the entire herd, making up thousands of wildebeest, a few zebras ad other animals follow one another to cross the river at the same very point. But risk is rife for the wildebeest, as the rivers are often infested with Nile crocodiles, and lions commonly wait in the long grasses on the shore.

The sudden noise, dust, the visual feast of the crossing, once it starts is a sight to behold! And just as suddenly as it starts, it’s over!

Visit Masai Mara, stay at Jackleberry Safaris, situated in the heart of the Mara National Reserve, close to many of the river crossings to experience the greatest natural spectacle in the World!